Telephone system.



F. A. LUNDQUIST. TELEPHONE SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED 110114, 1912.

Patented Spt.15,1914.

"E NORRIS PETERS CD1. PHOHJ-LIT'HO.v WA HNGTON, D. C.

mechanism located at the substation, to-v rrnn s'ra'rns Irarnn'r ems.

FRANK A. LUNDQUIST, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR '10 WESTERN ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF NEW YORK, Y., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Application filed. November 14, 1912. Serialllo. "$31,323.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK A. LUND- QUIST, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Telephone Systems, of which the following is a full,clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in telephone toll line systemsand more particularly to those systems wherein a coin or token iscollected each time a subscriber originates a successful call. 7

The object of this invention is to provide a coin collector mechanismand controlling apparatus adapted to be connectedthereto which willconstitute a reliable and efficient system for collecting or refundingthe tokens without the necessity of employing polarized electromagnets.

The means by which this object is accomplished will be fully understoodfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

in the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of thecoin collector gether with the apparatus and circuit connections at thecentral olfice, by means of which the coins are refunded or collected;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the coin collector mechanism.

At the local or subscribers statlon A, n

addition to the usual means for transmitting and receiving speech, islocated a coin collecting mechanism which is connected to a centralstation B by means of a telephone line C. Eor the sake of clearness, theusual operators telephone apparatus and the means for connecting to acalled line have been omitted, but it is to be understood that any ofthe means known in the art may be employed.

The coin collecting mechanism consists of a zig-zag coin chute 5provided at its lower end with a deposit channel 6, leading to the cashbox, and a refund channel 7 leading to a refund cup 8. Projecting intothe upper part of the coin chute 5 is a pivoted lever 9 and a movablearresting pin 10. A coin descending the chuteis held between the lever 9and the pin 10 until released as hereinafter described. The weight ofthe coin resting channel 6 into the cash box.

on the free end of the lever 9 causes it to move about its pivot toclose a contact between the springs 11 and 12. Secured to the frame ofthe coin collector is an electromagnet 15 provided with an armature 16pivoted at 17. Projecting upward and connected to the armature 16 is arod 18 to the upper end of which the pin 10 is fastened. The rod 18 isalso connected to a contact spring 19 by means of an insulating connection 20, The armature 16 is likewise provided with two downwardlyprojecting rods or levers 21 and 22 located on opposite sides of thepivotal axis 17. The rod 21 is provided with two laterally projectingpins 23 and 2a which are adapted to be moved into the chute 5 throughopenings in the wall thereof, although normally located outside of thechute. When inserted into the chute the pin" 23 obstructs the openinginto the refund channel 7. The rod 22 is provided with a laterallyprojecting plate 25 which is normally positioned to obstruct the depositchannel 6 by extending through an opening in the wall of the coin chuteabove the opening thereof, but which may be withdrawn as hereinafterdescribed. When in its normal position, the plate 25 prevents coins frompassing through the deposit A pivoted lever 26 projecting into thedeposit channel 6 controls the contact between springs 27 and 28, which,normally rest together, and is adapted to opensuch contact when the freeend thereof is depressed by a coin. The pin 24 is so placed that wheninserted into the deposit channel, a coin passing therein is arrested incontact with the lever 26 causing the contact springs 27 and 28 to beseparated. When the pin 24 is withdrawn, the coin may pass on into thecash box. The electromagnet 15 may be energized to attract its armature16 as hereinafter described and when thus attracted the armature 16rotating about its axis 17 withdraws the pin 10 from the chute and theplate 25 from the opening into the deposit channel 6. At the same timethe pins 23 and 2t are inserted into the chute.

The telephone line C is connected'to the spring 11 and the spring 12 isprovided with a path to ground through conductors 30 and 31, the coilsof the electromagnetlf), conductor 32, and springs 27 and 28. A

branch circuit to ground through thee1ectromagnet is provided around thecontacts 11 and 1.2, when the pin is withdrawn from the chute, by meansof conductor 33,

contact spring 19, a second spring 34, conductors and 31, thecoils ofelectromagnet 15, conductor 32, and contact springs 27 and .28. It willthus be apparent that when the electromagnet is energized to attract itsarmature 16 to withdrawthe pin 10 releasing an arrested coin,.a circuitis formed independent of .the coin actuated contact 1112 and theenergizing current through the electromagnet is not interrupted at thispoint. 7

At the central station B the telephone line C is connected to a springof the usual telephone spring jack. A spring 41 is normally in contactwith spring 40 and is joined by a conductor 42 of the winding of a relay43. The other end of the winding of the relay 43 is connected to abattery 44 by means of conductors 45, 46, 47 and 48. One side of thebattery 44 is grounded and armature 50 of the relay 43 is likewisegrounded through conductors 51 and 52. An armature contact 53 of relay43 is connected by a conductor 54 to one terminal of a signal lamp 55,the other terminal of which forms a common connection for the conductors45 and 46. One terminal of the usual jack plug 56, in the illustratedcircuit the tip, is joined by a conductor 57 to a key lever 58 of acircuit closer or refund key 59. second circuit closer or deposit key 60has its'lever 61 joined by a conductor 62 to a contact point 63 of thekey 59, Which is normally in contact with the lever 58 thereof but whichmay be separated therefrom upon the actuation of the key 59.

The coil of a relay 70 provided with a movable armature 71 has a path tothe bat tery 44 through conductors 72 and 48, while the oppositeterminal of the relay 70 is connected by means of conductors 73 and 74to a normally open contact point 75 of the deposit key 60. Abranchcircuit is provided around the key 60 to the line C, when the armature71 is attracted by means of a con ductor 76, armature 71, front contact77, and conductor 78. A signal may be provided to notify the operatorthat collection I has been made by providing the relay 70 with a secondarmature 80 connected to a grounded terminal of battery 81. It is to beunderstood that it is preferred to use only one battery, although twoare shown for the sake of clearness. A front contact 82 for V thearmature 80 is connected by a conductor 83 to one terminal of a signallamp 84, the other terminal of which is joined .to the ungrounded poleof battery 81 by conductor 85. I

.The coil of a second relay 90 is provided with a path to battery 44through cond ctor s 2, 47 and. 48. It likewise provided with a normallyclosed path to the key '59 through conductors 93 and 94, back contacts95 and 96 and conductor 97 toa normally open point '98 of the key59; anda normally open path to the key 59 through conductor 93, armature 99,front contact 109, conductor 101, to a normally open point 102 of thekey 59. A signal lamp 110 has oneterminal connected to'a front contact111 of the relay 90-by a conductor 112; the other terminal of the signallamp forms a common connection for conductors 91 and 92. The lever 113of the key 59 connected to but insulated fromthe lever 58 by theinsulating connection 114, is oined to the conductor 52 by a conductor115.

The operation of the system is as follows: A subscriber desiring toobtain a connection deposits a coin or token into the coin chute 5 ofthe coin collector. The coin is held by the arresting pin 10 in contactwith the lever 9 which moves about its pivot joining contact springs 11and 12. A circuit is thus established to the central office as follows:Ground at the substation, contact springs 28 and 27, conductor 32, coilof electromagnet 15, conductors 31 and 30, contact springs 12 and 11,telephone line C, jack spring 40, con tact spring 41, conductor 42, coilof relay 43, conductors 45, 46, 47 and 48, battery 44 to ground. Therelay 43 is preferably of comparatively high resistance relative to thecoils of the electromagnet 15 so that when connected in series thevoltage of the battery 44 is sufficient to operate the former but willnot cause the electromagnet 15 to attract its armature. Upon drawing upits armature the relay 43 closes a circuit from ground at bat-j frontcontact 53, conductor 54, lamp 55, conductors 46, 47 and 48' to battery44 and ground. The lamp signal 55 is thus lighted, notifying the centraloffice operator that a connection is desired. The operator thereuponinserts one of the answering plugs 56 into the, proper spring jackopening the contact between springs 40 and 41. This tery 44, conductors52 and 51, armature 50,

breaks the circuit for the relay 43 and extinguishes the lamp 55.

Upon ascertaining the wants of the subscriber the, operator completesthe connection by means, not shown, which are well known in the art. Ifthe call is successful the operator presses the deposit key 60completing a circuit for the electromagnet 15 as followsz Ground at thesubstation, contact springs 28 and 27, conductor 32, coils ofelectromagnet 15, conductors 31 and30, contact springs/12 and 11,telephone line C, jack spring 40, tip of the plug 56, conductor 57,contact 58-63, conductor 62, key lever 61, contact 75, conductors 74 and73, relay 70, conductors 72,and 48, battery 44 to ground. The relay 70is of low resistance and both it and the electromagnet 15 are operated.At

the substation the armature 16 is attracted, withdrawing the pin 10 andthe obstructing plate 25,-while the pins 23 and 24 are inserted into the"chute. The release of the coin opens the contact between springs 11 and12 but the actuating circuit is not interrupted since the branch circuitcomposed of conductors 33, 34 and 35 is closed at 1934.

At the central office the actuation of relay closes a branch circuitfrom ground at battery 44, conductors 4S and 72, relay 70, conductors 73and 76, armature 71, front contact 77, conductors 78 and 57 to line C.It will thus be apparent that the circuit energizing the electromagnet15 is independent of the key 60 after the key has once been operated.[At the same time, the local cir-' cuit for the lamp 84 is closed fromground at battery 81, conductor- 85, lamp 84, conductor 83, frontcontact 82, armature to ground, notifying the operator that the coin isbeing deposited. The coin continuing down the coin chute is preventedfrom entering the refund channel 7 by means of the pin 23 and finallylodges'between the pin 24 and the lever 26. The weight of the coin opensthe energizing circuit at the contact springs 27 and 28 which causes thearmature 16 of the electromagnet .15 and the armatures 71 and 80 of therelay 7 O to be released. The former causes the arresting pin 24 to bewithdrawn from the channel 6 allowing the coin to pass into the cashbox. The latter opens the branch and si 'nal lamp circuits and theoperator is notified by the extinguishing of lamp 84 that the collectionis completed.

The withdrawal of plug 56 from .the spring jack places all of theapparatus in normal position. If on the other hand, the call isunsuccessful, the operator presses the refund key 59 with the followingresult: A circuit is closed from ground at the substation, contactsprings 28 and 27, conductor 32, coils of electromagnet 15, conductors31 and 30, contact springs 12 and 11, telephone line C, jack spring 40,tip of the plug 56, conductor 57, key lever 58, contact 98, conductor97, armature contacts 96 and 95, conductors 94.and 93, coil of relay 90,conductors 91, 92, 47 and 48, battery 44 to ground. The relay 9Olikewise being of low resistance, both it and the electromagnet 15attract their armatures. The attraction of armature 16 releases the coinand completes the branch circuit through the contact springs 19 and 34as hereinbefore described. The attraction of armature 99 of relay breaksthe energizing circuit at the contacts and 96 and completes a lockingcircuit from ground at battery 44 through conductors 48, 47, 92

for the lamp 110 through the conductor 112 and the front contact 111 sothat the operator is notified that the coin is being refunded. Theenergizing circuit is thus opened almost immediately after it is closedby the operator, the time the circuit is closed, however, beingsufficiently long to release the coin. The interruption of the circuit,as hereinbefore described, causes the electromagnet 15 to release itsarmature 16 before the coin has reached the branch channels allowing thepin 23 to be withdrawn from in front of the refund channel 7 andinserting the obstructing plate 25 into the coin chute in front of theopening into the deposit channel 6. The coin is, therefore, deflectedinto the refund channel 7 to the refund cup 8 where it may be removed bythe subscriber. The withdrawal of the plug 56 from the spring jack andthe release of the key 59 causes the circuit to revert to its normalcondition.

If preferred, the contact springs 27 and 28 controlled by a coin passingdown the deposit channel 6 may be placed in parallel with the coils ofthe electromagnet -15 so that instead of opening the actuating circuit,a low resistance path around the electromagnet isprovided, which willwithdraw enough of the energizing current from the coils thereof tocause the armature 16 to be released. With this arrangement the contactsprings 27 and 28 are normally held open to be closed by a coin restingbetween the lever 26 and the pin 24.

What I claim is:

1. Ina telephone system, the combination of a telephone line, a sourceof current therefor, an electromagnet at a substation controlling thedisposition of a deposited coin, circuit closers at the central oflicefor connecting said source of current to said'electromagnet over thetelephone line, means at the central ofiice for insuring the continuancyof said circuit independently of said circuit closers, and means at thesubstation adapted to open said circuit independently of said circuitclosers.-

2. In a telephone system, the combination of a telephone line, a sourceof current therefor, an electromagnet at a substation controlling thedisposition of a deposited coin, a circuit closer at the central oflicefor connecting said source of current to said electromagnet over thetelephone line, a branch circuit for said circuit closer and means insaid branch circuit made operable by said circuit closer for insuringthe continuancy of said circuit independently of said circuit closer.

3. In a telephone system, the combination of a telephone line, a sourceof current therefor, an electromagnet at a substation controlling thedisposition of a deposited coin,

a circuit closer at a central Office for connect- 7 ing saidsource ofcurrent to said electromagneticver the telephone line, and means at thecentral station'made operable by vactuat ng said circuit closer ford1sconnect- 111g said source of current from said telephone line.

4C. In a telephone system, the combination of a coin chute at asubstation having deposit and refund channels, coin arresting means insaid chute, movableobstructions in the .dep osit and refund channels, anelectromagnet controlling the operation of said arresting means and saidobstructions, a tele phone line from the central oilice to saidelectromagnet at a substation, a source of current therefor, manualmeans at a'central office for completing a circuit for said source ofcurrent and said electromagnet through c said telephone hne,electromagnetic means :at the central oflic'e for holding said circuitclosed after the operation of said manual means, and com" operated meansat the substation for controlling the operation of sald ,7electromagnetic means. 1

of a com chute at a substation havmg de- 5. In a telephone system, thecombination posit and refund channels, coin arresting means in saidchute, movable obstructions in the deposit and refund channels, anelectromagnet controlling the operation of said arresting means and saidobstructions, a telephone line from a central office to saidelectro-magnet at a substation, a source of ourrenttherefor, manualmeans at the-central "oflice' for complet ng a circuit from said sourceof current to said electromagnet over means. a

said telephone line, and electromagnetic means at the central office foropeningsaid circuitvafter the actuation of said manual 6. Thecombination with a coin, chute provided with coin collecting and coinrefunding channels, a magnet for controlling the open and closedconditions of said channels, said parts being'at a local station, and

7 connections from said chute andmagnet to a central office, of two keyslocated at the central oiiice either of which keys serves to complete apreliminary circuit through the magnet at the local station, a magnet atthe central office: associated with one key and adapted upon actuationto break the circuit for the magnet at the local station, and a secondmagnet of the central office adapt- .ed upon actuation to hold thecircuit closed tion of the coin controlling rmagnetbeing V with one ofthe circuitcontrolling magnets such circuit controlling magnet willoperate to maintain a circuit through the coin eontrolling magnet,andmeans by which upon such operation ofthe coin controlling mag- 7 notbeing withthe other of the circuit controlling magnets such othermagnetwill operate to immediately break the circuit through the coincontrolling magnet.

' .8. In atelephone system, the combination with two magnets, one ofwhich is located 7 5 at the central oilice, the other at the substation,circuit connections, and a key by which said magnets are included inseries in an electric circuit, of means by which the, operation of oneof said magnets closes a -multiple,branch for itself and breaks thecircuit through the other of said magnets, and a signal for indicatingthe completion of such operation.

9. In a telephone system, the combina- .85 tion withtwo magnets, one ofwhich is 10 cated at the central oflice, the other atthe substation,circuit connections therefor, and means by which said magnetsare'included in series in an electric circuit, of coin con- 9 trollingdevices moved by operationof one of said magnets, and means controlledby the other-magnet for breaking the circuit of the first named magnet.I I

1.0. In a telephone system, the combination with two magnets, one ofwhich is located at the central oi'lice, the other at the substation,circuit connectionstherefor, and means by which said magnets areincluded i in series in said connections, of coin 'controlling devicesoperated by i one i of said; magnets, means controlled by the other'magnet for closing a multiple branch for itself and for breakingthebranch through the first mentionedmagnet, and a signaling device forindicating that the second magnet has completed its control overtheifirst magnet.

11. The combination with a coin chute provided with coin collecting andcoin retopic; at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioners! late'ntsj Washington, D. 0".

